7 Questions With ‘Mad Men’ Star Jon Hamm: Emmy Contender Quickie

After seven seasons, viewers said their final goodbye to Cooper Sterling Draper Pryce last month and its chain-smoking, alcohol-chugging, womanizing advertising phenom Don Draper, played by Jon Hamm.

Matt Weiner‘s period drama took Draper on a voyage of self-discovery, culminating in a sunny mountaintop retreat where the ad man supposedly came up with one of the most iconic commercials of all time: “Buy the World a Coke.”

The series has enjoyed a long and successful run, winning Best Drama at the Emmys for its first four seasons, as well as a gazillion other awards. But its leading man has never taken home the coveted Emmy, despite earning a nomination each year the show has been eligible.

Hamm talked to TheWrap about which scenes were the toughest to shoot (the last three episodes), which actor on the show he would give an Emmy to (hint: not who you’d expect), and whether or not he got a free year’s worth of Coca-Cola after that finale.

TheWrap: What was the toughest thing you had to do this season?Jon Hamm: I guess it was a culmination of things, but it always comes with a preface: The job is not exactly lead mining. It’s not a physically demanding job so I don’t want to act like, ‘Oh, poor me.’ But I think the trickiest part for me was having Don go on this journey for the last three to four episodes. Simply by the nature of choosing that path, it meant basically that I was on my own. It was challenging emotionally and from an acting standpoint because you establish a relationship with certain characters over seven and a half seasons and having the last few episodes all by myself was tricky.

What was the funnest thing you got to do this season?
I don’t think there’s any one thing. I had a good time coming into work almost all the time. If I had to sneak in one thing, I’d say watching Robert Morse (Bertram Cooper) dance [to “The Best Things in Life Are Free,” a vintage show tune from the 1927 musical “Good News.”]. It was obviously a very emotional scene for both the character and for us. There weren’t a lot of dry eyes watching that day.

Let’s assume someone who’s been living under a rock has never heard of “Mad Men.” What would you say to convince them to watch it?
I think it’s an intelligent and emotional journey through a difficult time in American culture and a character study of a uniquely American archetype. I guess that’s probably not going to get any more viewers to watch it [laughs].

Who else on the show really deserves an Emmy and why?
For my money, I think the one person who has been really criminally overlooked through the years has been Vincent Kartheiser (Pete Campbell). His work on the show from the beginning has been really spectacular. He’s created this character that is so easy to dislike but if you really look at the character of Pete, he’s on the right side of a lot of the arguments and you can see the frustration in that character.

Are you a binge-watcher? Once-a-weeker? What was the last thing you binge-watched?
I’m a binge watcher on certain things. I’m also a once-a-weeker on things that are not available to binge such as Sunday night programs like “Silicon Valley,” “Veep” and the “Daily Show.” But the last thing I watched all at once was probably “Arrested Development.” I watched the whole series in about three days, maybe five or six at a time. I was really into that one.

If you could add a new category to the Emmys, serious or silly, what would it be?
That’s a really good question. I’d go with something like Best Ensemble. We live in such an amazing time to be watching television right now and there are so many new approaches to narrative television and sometimes the performances don’t fit into certain categories so I think I would try and blow it up a little bit with an ensemble category.

Did Coca-Cola send you a year’s worth of free Coke? You did give them some Grade-A exposure, after all.
No, I didn’t get any free Coke for life, unfortunately. But I’m shooting a movie in Atlanta and I was able to go visit the archives of the Coca-Cola Museum, which was really kind of cool. They’ve got well over 100 years of stuff that they’ve collected and you just realize what an integral and significant part of American and pop culture Coca-Cola has been.

94 Summer TV Shows: TheWrap's Ultimate Viewing Guide (Photos)

Wednesday, May 27"The Briefcase" (CBS) at 8/7c American families experiencing financial setbacks are presented with a briefcase containing a large sum of money and a potentially life-altering decision: they can keep all of the money for themselves, or give all or part of it to another family in need.

CBS

Wednesday, May 27"Bullseye" (Fox) at 9/8cKellan Lutz and Godfrey host this new game show. The goal is to hit the titular bullseye on land, over the sea and up in the air, with the competitors using their bodies as human darts. The winner leaves with $50,000.

Fox

Thursday, May 28"Aquarius" (NBC) at 9/8cDavid Duchovny stars as 1960's Det. Sam Hodiak, who goes undercover to investigate the Manson family before their infamous murder spree

Saturday May 30"The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe" (Lifetime) at 8/7cKelli Garner stars as the iconic film star in this mini-series chronicle of Monroe's family life and how she succeeded in hiding her most intimate secrets from the press and an invasive world.

Lifetime

Sunday, May 31"Halt and Catch Fire" (AMC) at 10/9cThe Lee Pace-led drama returns for season 2 and continues to explore the personal computing boom of the 1980s

AMC

Monday, June 1"Devious Maids" (Lifetime) at 9/8cThe maids are back for more mayhem and drama as the third season of Lifetime's hit series returns.

Lifetime

Monday, June 1"UnREAL" (Lifetime) at 10/9cThe drama behind the scenes at a reality dating show is chronicled in Lifetime's newest series. Shiri Appleby stars.

Lifetime

Monday, June 1"The Whispers" (ABC) at 10/9cAn unseen force is manipulating society's most innocent -- children -- to act in service of its mysterious cause.

ABC

Monday, June 1"So You Think You Can Dance" (Fox) The 12th season of this reality competition follows dancers competing to be named "America's Favorite Dancer," along with a cash prize.

Fox

Tuesday, June 2"Chrisley Knows Best" (USA) at 9/8cSeason 3 of the reality show follows the continuing adventures of millionaire Todd Chrisley and his family.

USA

Tuesday, June 2"Pretty Little Liars" (ABC Family) at 8/7cSeason 6 of the popular teen drama will answer burning questions about A and all the PLL's.

ABC Family

Tuesday, June 2"Royal Pains" (USA) at 10/9cThe seventh season of this medical dramedy follows the employees of concierge medical service HankMed struggling to keep their lives in order.

USA

Tuesday, June 2"Stitchers" (ABC Family) at 9/8cA young woman is recruited into a secret government agency to be "stitched" into the minds of the recently deceased, using their memories to investigate murders.

ABC Family

Wednesday, June 3"Baby Daddy" (ABC Family) at 8:30/7:30cThe fifth season of this comedy series sees Ben still grappling with fatherhood in hilarious fashion.

ABC Family

Wednesday, June 3"Melissa & Joey" (ABC Family) at 8/7cMelissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence return for the fourth and final season of this comedy about a woman who hire a "manny" to look after her niece and nephew.

ABC Family

Thursday, June 4"Hannibal" (NBC) at 10/9cHannibal has fled to Europe as the fate of the victims he left behind hangs in the balance in Season 3 of the cult favorite series.

Tuesday, June 23"Another Period" (Comedy Central) at 10:30/9:30cA turn of the century reality series about the Newports, America's "original ballers."

Comedy Central

Wednesday, June 24"Big Brother" (CBS) at 9/8cAnother group of housemates will be thrown together for more drama, competition and, if recent seasons are any indication, scandal in the 17th season of the popular reality show.

CBS

Wednesday, June 24"Suits" (USA) at 9/8cSeason 5 of this legal drama will continue the story of a brilliant lawyer -- who never attended law school -- closing cases for a major Manhattan firm.

USA

Wednesday, June 24"Mr. Robot" (USA) at 10/9cA hacker working as a cyber-security engineer is recruited by an underground organization to destroy his own firm.

Tuesday, June 30"Zoo" (CBS) at 9/8cA young scientist searches to find out what's causing a rash of violent animal attacks.

CBS

Tuesday, June 30“The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail” (Comedy Central) at 12:30am/11:30cThe second season of this series which sees famous comedians trying out new bits in the back of a comic book store

Comedy Central

Wednesday, July 1"Extant" (CBS) at 10/9cHalle Berry returns for season 2 of this sci-fi series about an astronaut who becomes mysteriously pregnant during a 13-month solo space mission.

CBS

Thursday, July 2"Food Fighters" (NBC) at 8/7cA cooking game show in which amateurs square off against pro chefs for the chance to win $100,000.

NBC

Monday, July 6"Penn & Teller: Fool Us" (CW) at 9/8cAspiring magicians try to pull off magic tricks on masters Penn & Teller. Those who succeed earn a chance to perform in Las Vegas in the second season of this reality series.

CW

Monday, July 6"Whose Line Is It Anyway?" (CW) at 9/8cMore hilarious improv returns in the 11th season of this long-running comedy show.

CW

Tuesday, July 7"Hollywood Game Night" (NBC) at 10/9cJane Lynch hosts the show in which various celebrities compete in competitions to win money for their select charities.

Monday, July 13"Running Wild With Bear Grylls" (NBC) at 10/9cThe famous survivalist leads celebrities on 48-hour journeys into remote and dangerous locations

NBC

Wednesday, July 15"The Jim Gaffigan Show" (TV Land) at 10/9cBased on the actor's real life, Gaffigan's newest sitcom follows him as he balances life between fatherhood, stand-up comedy and an insatiable appetite

TV Land

Wednesday, July 15"Impastor" (TV Land) at 10:30/9:30c"Smallville's" Michael Rosenbaum plays a slacker and druggie who assumes the identity of a priest after his death.

TV Land

Thursday, July 16"Impractical Jokers" (TruTV) at 10/9cSeason four of this series about four lifelong friends who dare each other to do outrageous stunts

TruTv

Thursday, July 16"Friends of the People" (TruTV) at 10:30/9:30cThe midseason premier of this sketch comedy series that skewers pop culture and features parodies of your favorite 90's moments

TruTV

Thursday, July 16"Married" (FX) at 10:30/9:30cA comedy about a couple of not-so-newlyweds struggling to live adult lives

FX

Thursday, July 16"Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll" (FX)A beind-the-scenes comedy about a rock band forced to collaborate again after splitting up 20 years earlier

FX

Saturday, July 18"Hell on Wheels" (AMC) at 9/8cThe fifth season of this period drama about a former Confederate soldier tracking the men who killed his wife

AMC

Sunday, July 19"Welcome to Sweden" (NBC) at 8/7cSeason 2 of the comedy that sees a powerful money manager move to Sweden to live with his beautiful Swedish girlfriend

NBC

Wednesday, July 22"Last Comic Standing" (NBC) at 9/8cSeason 9 of the standup competition finds comedians honing their jokes with the help of mentors for a prize worth $250,000 -- which includes a TV show development deal.

NBC

Wednesday, July 29"The Carbonaro Effect" (TruTV) at 10/9cThe second season of this reality series about a comic magician who astounds and amuses audiences at the same time

TruTV

Thursday, July 30"Review" (Comedy Central) at 10/9cSeason 2 of this series about life reviewer Forrest MacNeil

Comedy Central

Friday, July 31"Cold Justice" (TNT) at 10:30/9:30cSeason 3 of this unscripted series in which former prosecutor Kelly Siegler and crime scene investigator Yolanda McClary crack cold cases.

TNT

Friday, July 31"Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp" (Netflix) StreamingA series based on the 2001 film that explores the first days of summer at Camp Firewood

Netflix

Sunday, August 2"Bachelor in Paradise" (ABC) at 8/7cIn the tradition of "Bachelor Pad," ABC finds a new way to round up former "Bachelor" and "Bachelorette" competitors, get them in their swimsuits, and get them feuding. (Oh, and maybe fall in love. Sure.)

ABC

Tuesday, August 4"Playing House" (USA) at 10/9cSeason two of this comedy about a woman who decides to help her best friend raise a baby after the friend's husband is caught cheating

USA

Wenesday, August 5"The Carmichael Show" (NBC) at 9:30/8:30cA half hour comedy loosely based on the life of comedian Jerrod Carmichael

NBC

Wednesday, August 5"Mr. Robinson" (NBC) at 9/8cCraig Robinson stars in this half hour comedy about a middle school music teacher.

NBC

Monday, August 17"Public Morals" (TNT) at 10/9cEddie Burns leads the cast of this drama set in the world of the 1960s NYPD Public Morals division.

TNT

Tuesday, August 18"Hack My Life" (TruTV) Second season of this series in which the hosts offer time-saving tips for your everyday life

TruTv

Thursday, August 20"Documentary Now!" (IFC) at 10/9cA mocumentary series about a different, made-up topic each week

IFC

Saturday, August 22"Blunt Talk" (Starz) at 9/8cPatrick Stewart stars in this comedy about an unhinged British journalist who gets his own cable news show in the U.S.